Michael von Strelitz

Michael von Strelitz (1711-1786) was a Field Marshal of Prussia who fought in the War of the Austrian Succession, Seven Years' War, and the War of the Bavarian Succession.

Biography
Michael von Strelitz was born in Mecklenburg-Strelitz in 1711, a member of the noble family through his uncle. Strelitz's noble birth allowed him to become an officer in the Prussian Army during the War of the Austrian Succession in 1740-1748 after having a brief career as a palace attendant to the Dukes of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. Michael von Strelitz's career in the War of the Austrian Succession led to his recognition as a potential general of the Prussian Army during the Seven Years' War of 1756-1763. General Strelitz was made commander of the Prussian army in Lower Saxony and defeated a French army at the Battle of Wathlingen on 12 March 1757, resulting in the death of the commanding French noble and his promotion to Field Marshal.

After the war's end in 1763, he ran the military college at Magdeburg as director, and trained Prussian forces that fought during the War of the Bavarian Succession. Strelitz retired after the war's end in 1779 at the age of 68, and he died in 1786 at the age of 75.